We want to thank all those who supported the students, not only with money but gifts in kind. The kids received a new suit and some new clothes and shoes to attend the inauguration. They also received tickets to the Latino Ball from Eva Longoria and various other private events.

Thanks to the media who has taken interest in this story. They have been invited to be student reports for MundoFox and Telemundo. Catch them on TV.

Press release:
Mustangs March to Washington!
Journalism students from Bishop Mora Salesian College Preparatory High School in Boyle Heights head to Washington, D.C. to attend the 57th presidential inauguration.

Los Angeles, CA (January 9, 2013) Three journalism students from Bishop Mora Salesian College Preparatory High School have been given the rare opportunity to attend President-elect Barack Obama's second inauguration in Washington, D.C., courtesy of Congressman Xavier Becerra, U.S. Representative for California's 34th Congressional District. The students and their teacher were notified by Congressman Becerra's office late last week that they were selected to receive tickets to witness the historic event. In addition to attending the inauguration, these students will visit the Capitol Building, memorials and other historical sites. They also plan to participate in a community service activity as part of the call to action for the National Day of Service.

Marco Rivas, David Manrique and Gerardo Gonzalez, all 12th grade students, will leave Los Angeles with their journalism teacher, Mr. Guillermo Vidaurri, on Saturday, January 19th and return on Wednesday, January 23rd. They will attend the swearing-in ceremony, inaugural address and parade. These student journalists plan to document their journey to the nation's capital, and share their experience and observations of the public inaugural festivities with the school community using various social media networks, including an internet blog they are preparing to launch specifically for this trip. They will also be covering a story for the school magazine, The Salesian SPIRIT, on an alumnus who will be travelling to Washington, D.C with one thousand other artists from across the country to do free public art exhibits around the national mall.

They are understandably excited at the prospect of witnessing first-hand this important American tradition, and have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as ambassadors for the school. "It is an honor beyond words to be able to represent Salesian at such a historic event," said Gonzalez. This trip is also particularly significant for this group of students because they have worked hard to achieve academic success and hone their leadership skills on campus, and they each have expressed an interest in pursuing a career in politics. Rivas has accepted admission to Princeton University where he will major in political science and hopes of seeking public office in the future. Manrique will be attending DePaul University in the fall where he will study political science, and eventually attend law school. Gonzalez hopes to attend Harvard and pursue a career in law and politics. "The trip will be an extraordinary experience - a once in a high school career opportunity," said Guillermo Vidaurri. "I am happy that these hard-working and motivated students will have the opportunity to play a small part in American history."

As soon as the students heard the good news, they began making travel arrangements and raising the funds needed to pay for their trip. Getting there is not cheap. The cost to each student is approximately $1,250, which includes roundtrip airfare, ground transportation and hotel stay. They are using a creative way to collect donations online from family, friends, neighbors and the community. If anyone is interested in helping them raise the money they need to travel to Washington, D.C. for this unique experience, they can visit their page on the website GoFundMe: http://www.gofundme.com/SHStoDC2013

Bishop Mora Salesian High School is a Catholic, all-male, college preparatory high school that was founded by the Salesian's of Don Bosco in 1958. Salesian is located in the Boyle Heights community of Los Angeles and serves a diverse student body from various economic and social backgrounds, and from many neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County and beyond.

Thanks
to the office of Congressman Xavier Becerra, I have been granted 4 tickets to
President Obama's inauguration, the 57th in our nation's history.
Along with my guidance and supervision, my journalism class will travel on
assignment to the historic event. The 3 student
journalist will maintain a personal blog throughout their journey and write
various articles on numerous events and occurrences for the Salesian SPIRIT "“
which include an investigative report on citizens affected by Hurricane Sandy,
the following and interviewing of an alumnus as he travels with 1000
artists to do free public art around the national mall, and coverage of the
presidential inauguration itself.

In
addition, the students will take part in community service "“ helping in part
with the rebuilding of the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. Moreover, the
students will visit major universities such as Georgetown University, Princeton
University, University of Pennsylvania, George Washington University and
American University, writing student reviews on each of the schools.

The school administration approved the trip as
long we paid our own way. We need your help to make this happen. Please
consider a donation and/or participating in one of our upcoming fundraisers.

Expense = $1250 per person, $5000 total. (travel & accomodations)

Ideally we would like to raise more for tickets to the Latino Inaugural event and additional events.

Ideally, we would love to raise $50000 by January 16 but any and all money would be truly
appreciated. If you can donate $1, $5, $10, $20 or more, our hearts would be
forever grateful.

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